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Demolition Contractors Insurance Colorado

Demolition Contractors Insurance Colorado. Demolition contractors are in the business of tearing down roofs and walls. This type of work involves heavy machinery and falling objects, which could put them, their employees, and anyone they work with or who is near the jobsite, at risk of serious injuries. Like any other business, there are also a number of other liabilities that demolition contractors could face.

Demolition contractors (or wrecking) dismantle buildings, structures, machinery, or equipment. Techniques employed vary according to local codes, the type of building or structure being demolished, and the exposure to adjacent properties. Limited demolition work used for remodeling projects may be done with only hand tools (called "tear-out"). On a larger scale, work may be done with a wrecking ball swung from a crane or with explosives, including implosion that generates gravitational collapse of a building.

Rough sorting of material may take place, particularly if the insured engages in salvage operations on the equipment, machinery, or building materials. One major concern is the exposure to and the removal or containment of asbestos and lead from older buildings, requiring the wrecking operation to be carefully done in compliance with environmental standards for removal and disposal.

If you are a CO demolition contractor, it's important to safeguard yourself from the perils that could arise. In addition to following safety protocols and offering training courses, carrying the right type of demolition contractors insurance Colorado coverage is an absolute must.

Demolition contractors insurance Colorado protects your business from lawsuits with rates as low as $67/mo. Get a fast quote and your certificate of insurance now.

Why Is Insurance Important For Demolition Contractors?

There are a number of incidents that can arise on the jobsite. A third-party or an employee could become seriously injured. A mistake can be made during a demolition project. Your equipment could become damaged. These are just some examples of the type of incidents that could occur, and serious financial repercussions could be associated with all of them. You could be held liable for injuries and be required to pay for medical care, or you might be facing a lawsuit, for example.

Depending on the severity of the situation, the liabilities that are associated with your business could end up putting you in a serious financial situation. To avoid having to pay for costs out of your own pocket and potentially going bankrupt or going out of business completely, it's absolutely essential for you to have the right demolition contractors insurance Colorado coverage. With the right policy, you can protect yourself from financial perils.

Insurance Policies for Wrecking Contractors

What type of demolition contractors insurance Colorado policies should wrecking contractors carry? Below, we highlight some of the most critical types of coverages you should have:

Commercial General Liability: This type of insurance offers protection from third-party injuries and property damages. For instance, if a vendor makes a delivery to the jobsite and is hit by a falling object, commercial general liability insurance will help to cover the cost of any necessary medical care, as well as any legal fees that you could end up facing.

Professional Liability: Even though your staff is highly trained, mistakes can happen. For example, a crew member might demolish something that wasn't supposed to be touched. In that case, the property owner could sue you for negligence. Professional liability insurance will protect you from any legal fees that could arise in this type of situation. It could also help to pay for any repairs that may be needed.

Workers' Compensation: If you employ a crew, you are going to need to invest in workers compensation insurance. This type of policy will protect your employees in the event that they are injured on the job, or in the event that they develop a work-related illness. For example, if a piece of machinery malfunctions and an employee sustains an injury, workers comp insurance will help to pay for the medical care that he or she needs, any wages that he or she may lose while recuperating from the injury, and any legal action that the employee might take against you and your business.

Commercial Equipment: There's no doubt that you have various types of equipment that you use to get the job done. This type of equipment can come with some pretty hefty price tags. Should your equipment become damaged or stolen, you would need to replace it. Commercial equipment insurance can help to protect you from having to pay the exorbitant cost of replacing that machinery out of your own pocket.

Commercial Auto: If you or your staff uses any vehicles for business-related reasons, commercial auto insurance is a must. This type of policy will protect you and your employees in the event that an accident occurs while operating a vehicle for work-related reasons.

CO Demolition And Wrecking Risks & Exposures

Premises liability exposures are extremely high, both at the contractor's premises where explosives are stored and at any site using blasting material. Demolition and wrecking operations may attract crowds of onlookers. There must be barriers in place to protect the curious. The buildings or structures must be carefully combed for people prior to any destruction. Lack of proper storage on premises or improperly set explosives at the jobsite may result in severe bodily injury, loss of life, and major structural damage, either directly or by shock waves.

The noise from detonation may result in serious hearing impairment. The presence of fuels, flammables, and combustibles at the jobsite poses a significant hazard control challenge. Building services, if not disconnected properly, may result in fumes, gas or water leaks, and shock hazards, as well as interruption of utility services to adjacent properties. The collapse of a structure, intentionally or prematurely, may cause vibration damage to adjacent premises.

The areas around the buildings and the structures nearby should be reviewed and evaluated prior to any destruction to prevent damage and claims for damage predating the demolition. Salvage may involve cutting, compacting, or crushing, which presents fire or explosion hazards. Extraordinary measures must be taken to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons to the insured's premises or jobsite, as explosives are highly attractive to thieves and terrorists.

To control access to the jobsite, the contractor may employ spotters or guards, install gates and barbed wire, post signs, or contact occupants of adjacent properties directly. Equipment and piles of debris are attractive nuisances. All equipment must be disabled when not in operation to prevent untrained individuals from using it. Debris piles must be barricaded to prevent climbing. Fencing must be in place with appropriate warning signs to prevent trespassing. Security guards should be provided as necessary.

Completed operations exposures may be limited in barren unoccupied areas. If there are neighboring buildings or residences, claims may be brought for latent or cumulative structural damage that may not appear until long after the explosives have been detonated.

Environmental impairment liability exposures are high from the storage, use, and disposal of explosives and resulting waste and debris from demolition sites. Lead or stored fuels may contaminate soil and groundwater supplies. The release of dust or methane gases may impair air quality. Friable asbestos (asbestos insulation that crumbles easily and becomes airborne) may pose a serious risk. Proper written procedures and documentation of both the transportation and disposal process is important.

Workers compensation exposure is severe due to the handling and use of explosives. An unplanned detonation can result in severe injury or death to multiple workers at once from fire and explosion. Injury or death can occur from falls, being struck by falling objects, or an attempted robbery. Common hazards include slips and falls, foreign objects in the eye, hearing impairment from noise, cuts and puncture wounds from drilling, bites from insects or vermin, exposure to pollutants and weather conditions, concussions from blasting operations, and back injuries from lifting during loading, unloading, and setup. As operations are often conducted in remote areas, it may be difficult to transport an injured worker to a medical facility to receive prompt treatment.

Property exposures at the contractor's own location are usually limited to an office and storage of equipment and vehicles. The contractor often handles salvage, which may be stored inside or outside. If explosives are stored on premises, there is potential for a severe loss from fire and explosion unless there are superior controls on inventory and access to the explosives' storage areas. Storage must be in accordance with all state and federal regulations.

Local fire departments must be notified and a plan of control and evacuation should be in place. Explosives are target items for thieves and terrorists. Appropriate security measures must be in place including lighting and physical barriers to prevent unauthorized access. Thorough background checks by the ATF or Homeland Security should be done on every employee.

Crime exposure is from employee dishonesty. Background checks should be conducted prior to hiring any employee. All orders, billing, and disbursements must be handled as separate duties and annual external audits conducted. All items should be physically inventoried on a regular basis to prevent theft. If there are explosives, a procedure must be in place to monitor who has access to the explosives and to record all activities.

Inland marine exposures include accounts receivable if the contractor bills customers for services, contractors' equipment, goods in transit, and valuable papers and records for customers', regulators', and vendors' information. If explosives or salvage is transported, drivers must have a Haz-Mat license and be experienced in transport. The vehicle must be properly marked. A variety of drilling equipment is necessary to set the explosives.

The insured may own materials used to set up fences and blockades. If the contractor is responsible for removal of the debris, additional types of equipment may be needed, such as front-end loaders. Equipment on the site may be dropped from heights, strike utility piping, or wires either underground or within the building being demolished. When jobsites are in rural areas or on uneven ground, collision or overturn can occur. Any type of equipment may be damaged or destroyed during blasting operations.

Some equipment, such as cranes, may be leased, rented, or borrowed for a particular job. If equipment, machinery, tools, or supplies are left at jobsites, they may be susceptible to theft and vandalism. Equipment should be secured and rendered inoperable when not in use. Detonating devices, as well as explosives, may be a target for thieves.

Commercial auto exposures are high. Workers, equipment and supplies are regularly transported to and from jobsites. The transport of explosives demands extreme care by drivers due to the potential for fire, explosion, collision, overturn, and theft. Drivers should have Haz-Mat licenses and be fully aware of dangers involved with transporting explosives in populated areas. Transport of any salvage is difficult and requires proper loading to prevent overturn or overflow.

The absence of detailed training and procedures in the event of overturn or spill may indicate a serious morale hazard. All drivers must have appropriate licenses and acceptable MVRs. Vehicles must be maintained and the records kept in a central location.

Demolition Insurance

As a CO demolition contractor, it's important to make sure that you are properly protected from the financial that could arise as a result of the many liabilities that your business faces. To find out more about what type of insurance policies you should carry, how much coverage you should invest in, and if there are any specialized policies that are designed specifically for demolition contractors, speak to a reputable insurance broker.

Colorado Economic Data & Business Insurance Information

If you're thinking about doing business in Colorado, it's important to familiarize yourself with the economic status of the state, as well as the regulations and limits regarding insurance for businesses. Below, we offer insight into pertinent economic data related to the state of Colorado, as well as key business insurance information so that you can put your best foot forward and make the best decisions for your business in the Centennial State.

Business Economic Trends In The State Of Colorado

According to recent reports from the leading economic researchers, the state of Colorado has a healthy outlook, economically speaking. While fewer jobs will be added in 2018 than have been in recent years, the growth rate is still expected to climb.

It's anticipated that entrepreneurs who are really interested in taking risks in new ventures will be the leading contributors for the state's economic growth. However, less risky industries will lend to the economy, as well, such as cloud computing and cybersecurity.

In regard to the fuel industry, it is anticipate that there will be an increase in valuation of about 9 percent in the year 2018, and this growth pertains mainly to gas and oil. This increase will largely be due to the improvement in energy prices, which are lower this year than they have been in recent years. It's hopeful that energy prices will continue to fall so that these industries can continue to thrive.

In terms of agriculture, it's projected that farms in the state of Colorado will do a little better this year than they did in 2017. Leading economic research agencies are expecting that the income from agriculture will reach nearly $1.4 billion in 2019.

In regard to the retail market, it is also expected that this industry will see steady growth, despite the rising trend of e-commerce solutions. In fact, it's estimated that the rate of employment in the retail sector will increase by as much as 2.1 percent during the 2019 fiscal year.

Regulations And Limits For CO Commercial Insurance

The Colorado Division of Insurance regulates insurance in Colorado. CO is considered a "fault state", meaning that business owners are not legally required to carry liability insurance; however, liability coverage is the type of commercial insurance that is most commonly purchased in the state. Commercial liability insurance covers business owners and their clients for things like bodily and personal injury, commercial property damage, and injuries that pertain to advertising injuries.

The only commercial insurance that business owners are required to carry is workers' compensation insurance. Any business that employees an hourly or wage staff must carry this type of coverage to protect their employees.

Additional Resources For Contractors & Home Improvement Insurance

Learn about small business contractor's insurance, including what it covers, how much it costs - and how commercial insurance can help protect your contracting business from lawsuits.

If a contractor wants to begin or stay in business, liability coverage must be obtained for the premises or operations, off-site locations and products/completed operations exposures. These coverages may be included as a part of a businessowners policy (BOP) or purchased in a commercial general liability (CGL) policy. Owners and contractors protective liability and railroad protective liability coverages may also be required in certain cases in order for a contractor to obtain a particular job.

Many contractors do not have the usual location-specific buildings and business personal property exposures. Their business property is more mobile and, therefore, better covered with inland marine coverage forms. However, for those larger contractors that own buildings and/or maintain business inventory there are many coverage forms and choices available to them.

Contractors use their vehicles to get to and from their workplaces and jobsites. They also use vehicles to transport equipment and inventory to those locations. It is important to cover the liability of these vehicles for injury or damage they may cause, as well as to provide coverage for damage to the vehicles themselves.

Employers are required to provide coverage for injuries sustained by their employees while on the job. Contractors must comply with these requirements but some try to avoid them by hiring subcontractors. These subcontractors may actually operate and qualify as employees. The relationship between a contractor and its subcontractors must be carefully evaluated in order to determine if workers compensation coverage is still needed.